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Welcome to the December edition of SENDing you News where I'm happy to share details of engagement sessions and surveys that I would really like to encourage you to complete.
Your views truly do help shape the services provided across health, education and social care, and you can find ways to take part in this newsletter.
I would also like to remind you that over the Christmas break, if you need to find out about help and support, please look at the Local Offer website. The section on public transport can be particularly useful at this time of year where there are sections on travel passes and zero fare bus passes that you may find helpful.
Thank you to everybody who has already contributed in various ways.
I wish you a happy and peaceful Christmas and best wishes for the new year.
Deborah Myers, Assistant Director of Education
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Two Surveys to Support Parents, Carers and Young People with SEND Please help us to spread the word about the two surveys that are asking for feedback about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support – one for parents and carers, and one for children and young people. The surveys are to get views about experiences of the support offered in Tameside to help make improvements.
To complete the survey, click one of the links: Parent/Carer Survey Children and Young People Survey
The closing date to compete both surveys is Friday 20 December.
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Cuppa and Chat Parent and Carer Engagement Discussion Cuppa and a Chat is an informal session designed to foster discussions about concerns within the wider system and build connections with colleagues from the SEND Local Area Partnership. It focuses on breaking down barriers and enhancing collaboration. Please note that this is not a forum for discussing individual children or specific cases.
The recent meeting at Jubilee Gardens in Droylsden discussed key themes which are shared online, as well as more events are planned for the coming months.
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Tameside Umbrella Parent Carer Forum Launch The launch event of the Tameside Umbrella Parent Carer Forum is taking place on Friday 10 January with two sessions from 11am-2pm and 4pm-7pm.
This free event is for all the family at Dukinfield Town Hall, King Street, Dukinfield, SK16 4LA (Located in Lesser and George Hatton Rooms).
The event will include: - a Contact presentation and question time about exciting opportunities to get involved in Tameside Umbrella Parent Carer Forum
- bushtucker kids’ activity and a SEND maze
- face painting
- holistic therapies
- forest school activities for kids
- SEND services and family support
- food and drink
There will be parking available and disabled access.
Book your place - first session. Book your place - second session.
The Tameside Umbrella Parent Carer Forum now have a Facebook group where they share updates with followers. They are also encouraging any groups or services that want to be promoted on the Facebook page to get in touch. Follow the Tameside Umbrella Parent Carer Facebook page.
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Join the SEND Youth Council The SEND Youth Council met in December bringing existing and new members together to discuss issues that affect them in a supportive environment. This session included completing the SEND survey and also hearing from a member of the team from Tameside and Glossop Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). Read more about the SEND Youth Council meeting.
They would like to give more children and young people the opportunity to influence local decision makers on the issues that are most important to them. For more information about joining the SEND Youth Council, email aiden.hopkins@activetameside.com
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School Transport Consultation Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have set out a draft School Travel Strategy which gives their vision and approach to enabling more young people to walk, wheel (wheelchair users, people using a mobility aid, and people pushing a buggy/pram), scoot, cycle or use public transport to get to school and access further education. They are now looking for feedback, so visit the website to take part in the consultation and provide feedback.
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15-Hours Free Childcare to Help More Families Eligible working parents with a child from 9-months up to 3-years-old are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for 15-hours free childcare.
To qualify, both parents or a lone parent must earn on average, the equivalent to 16-hours per week at the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage. This will enable them to claim 15-hours free childcare over 38-weeks of the year. To check eligibility, please visit the government's website.
Access to free childcare can begin from the term after a child reaches 9-months-old.
To begin free childcare from January 2025, parents must apply and be issued with a valid eligibility code, and their child must have reached the eligible age on or before 31 December 2024.
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Outstanding Samuel Laycock School Congratulations to staff and students at Samuel Laycock School in Ashton for receiving an 'Outstanding' rating from Ofsted. The secondary school supports pupils aged 11-17-years-old with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) with personal and academic achievements and prepares them for later life. What a fantastic achievement!
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Ribbon Cutting Celebrates New School Building Parents have spoken of how much their children are benefitting from the state-of-the-art facilities at the new Hawthorns Primary School in Mottram. The new building is a shining example of co-production with the community coming together to ensure its creation – and everyone involved gathered to celebrate at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday 6 December. School staff, parents and carers, pupils, Tameside Council leaders, MPs, construction staff and education officials all attended the event, which was held once pupils had settled into the school following its opening on 11 September. Parents and carers shared how their children are enjoying the new school and the difference that it’s making to them.
Managed by New Bridge Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), it provides 246 places for children with SEND. The £23million development was commissioned by Tameside Council and built by Robertson Construction North West. Hawthorns School was originally designed to accommodate 60 pupils at its previous site, co-located with Aldwyn Primary School, Audenshaw, and the outstanding and popular school had outgrown its capacity. Read more about the school.
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Neurodiversity in Schools Project The Neurodiversity in Schools Project is now underway across Greater Manchester with four Tameside schools taking part – two primary and two secondary. The partnership work includes Our Kids Eyes charity, Tameside Council (including the Specialist Outreach Support Service and Educational Psychology team), Mental Health Support teams (NHS), Active Tameside’s SEND Participation Officer and the local schools. Find out more about the project.
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Christmas Activities in Tameside There are many magical Christmas events taking place for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities during December. Take a look at the exciting sessions and parties across the borough and be sure to book early for some festive fun.
Discover more about Christmas activities.
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Tameside Little Gems Wellbeing Pack For parents and carers going through a SEND tribunal, Tameside Little Gems are offering wellbeing packs. The pack includes a candle and sweets, as well as other wellbeing items. Simply send a private message to Tameside Little Gems on Facebook. The group can also provide support for other needs, and they can be contacted at tamesidelittlegems@gmail.com
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Sensory and Gaming Sessions The popular sensory and gaming sessions are run by Tameside Little Gems and are for ages 0-18-years-old. The sessions take place on the last Sunday of every month between 10am-12pm at Aqua Nurture, Knott Lane, Gee Cross. The sensory room includes air tubes, a dance mat, games, crafts, and magitrack. The gaming room has coding, virtual reality sets, an aeroplane simulator, sopheres, iPads, Lego, chess and beanbags. Siblings are welcome and bookings can be made on the Facebook group’s event.
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Mencap Family Engagement Project The Mencap Family Engagement Project works across Tameside to support families of children aged 0-5-years-old with special educational needs and disabilities or emerging additional needs. The team have lived experience of parenting children with additional needs, which gives a unique opportunity for peer support. They work to empower parents by providing emotional support, encouragement, knowledge and understanding.
Their friendly community has been co-produced by parents and co-facilitated with services around Tameside. They currently offer a range of peer support, information sessions, play sessions and 1:1 support from a Family Connector. Find out about upcoming sessions and how to get in touch.
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SEND Dads’ Society The SEND Dads’ Society is a male social club supporting the families of the Greater Manchester area who have or care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. They offer free peer support sessions for men to come together and meet others on a similar journey. Find out more about SEND Dads' Society.
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